Liz Krueger

Top News

I know how confusing healthcare and insurance issues can be, and with reforms from the federal government’s 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) rolling out, things may be even more complicated as we “kick the tires” on this new system. I recently circulated a newsletter (also linked below), to provide an overview of ACA benefits including New York’s new Health Plan Marketplace and answers to some of the main questions my office has received.

In addition, I held a community forum in October with over 200 attendees to discuss New York’s Health Plan Marketplace. You can find links to the presentations our three speakers gave at the bottom of this page.

Nicole Gelinas cuts through the Airbnb talking points with this thoughtful column on short-term rentals from Monday's New York Post:

Airbnb’s other argument is that its “hosts” need cash. We all need money, but we can’t break the law. Plus, by enabling rent-stabilized tenants to violate their leases as well as the law, Airbnb puts its “hosts” in danger of eviction...

Airbnb also says the money its hosts make helps them keep New York affordable. “This income is actually helping them to stay in their homes,” Airbnb policy director Molly Turner said last month.

But a landlord can get $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom legally, or $9,000 illegally. After he eventually cuts out the middleman — the tenant who thinks she’s smart in making a few extra bucks — that’s an apartment that someone can’t live in, pushing up rents for everyone.

You don’t have to believe in rent control to realize that the city should enforce laws to keep apartments as apartments.

On Thursday, Sen. Krueger joined a diverse group of advocates, including Ramsey Adams of Catskill Mountainkeeper and Mike Long, chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, to launch a campaign against Proposal One, the constitutional amendment authorizing up to seven new casinos in New York State, which is on the November 2013 ballot for the voters' approval. Multiple news outlets covered the press conference, including the Wall Street Journal, the Daily News, and Capital New York.

Joined on the steps of City Hall by State Senator Liz Krueger, a diverse coalition of political leaders, community groups, and advocates from around the state today announced their campaign urging voters to reject Proposal One. The Proposal’s inclusion on the November ballot represents the final stage in the approval process for a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing gaming at up to seven casinos in New York State.

Sen. Krueger and her colleague Sen. Brad Hoylman submitted the following joint letter to the City Council for its hearing on Mayor Bloomberg's East Midtown rezoning proposal. They argued that the plan in its current form is the flawed result of a rushed process, and that it would need dramatic, major changes in order to accomplish its stated goal of ensuring East Midtown's future as a premier commercial hub.

Sen. Krueger's District Office will be closed starting the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 18, and will reopen at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at our new location: 1850 Second Avenue, at 96th Street. While our office is closed, you can still contact Sen. Krueger by email to lkrueger [at] nysenate [dot] gov. Members of the media can contact Sen. Krueger's communications director at (917) 720-7895, or by email to goldston [at] nysenate [dot] gov.

Days after a federal judge said an unpaid intern did not have the same protections as paid employees against workplace sexual harassment, a state lawmaker has introduced legislation to end what has been described as a dangerous loophole in the state’s human rights laws. Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, wants to end sexual harassment episodes in which employers have escaped without penalty solely because the victim was an intern.

Sen. Krueger today announced her introduction of new legislation to ban workplace sexual harassment of unpaid interns in New York State (S. 5951). Loopholes in local, state, and federal laws have hampered interns’ attempts to seek redress for sexual harassment through the courts.

Sen. Krueger issued the following statement in response to Airbnb's recent blog post, which was circulated to media as part of an ongoing public relations and lobbying effort against New York's laws on short-term rentals.

Sen. Krueger today announced the enactment of her legislation recognizing and establishing a certification for “clinical nurse specialists” in New York State. The new law was sponsored by Sen. Krueger and Assemblymember Barbara Lifton (D-Ithaca), and signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo late last Friday.

The following statement is attributable to State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan):

"The New York City ECB Appeals Board decision overturning fines levied against Airbnb host Nigel Warren's landlord is little more than the exception that proves the rule. The Appeals Board dismissed the fines because Mr. Warren's roommate, who was a permanent resident of the apartment, was present in the apartment during an Airbnb customer's stay. Situations like this one, where a permanent tenant remains living in a part of the home, were never the focus of the New York law against illegal hotels.

Sen. Krueger was quoted in this New York Times piece, explaining that short-term rentals in multi-family residential buildings remain illegal, despite a small legal victory for Airbnb in an isolated, cherry-picked case.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Liz Krueger, and Council Member Jessica Lappin joined community advocates and concerned residents today near the site of the proposed 91st Street Marine Transfer Station (MTS) to highlight the serious flood risks that the MTS would pose to the community and to urge the Army Corps of Engineers to revoke a permit for construction.

Join us for a forum on what the new federal health care law means for New Yorkers. Starting January 1, 2014, New York will run a health plan marketplace, called New York State of Health. Individuals, families, and small business owners will be able to enroll in new, affordable health insurance plans through the marketplace. This system will bring a tremendous number of uninsured New Yorkers onto the insurance rolls.

Find out if you're eligible, how and when to apply, what benefits and plan options are available, details on financial aid to help pay qualified New Yorkers' insurance premiums, and details on tax credits for small businesses. Counselors will be on site to make an appointment to help you enroll.

Sign Up For UpdatesFrom Liz Krueger:

What my senator can do for me

Sen. Krueger's Resource Guides

Three important references are now available in new editions from our office. Contact our office or stop by to pick them up!

Senior Resource Guide, 2013-14 Edition -- a comprehensive list of services and resources available for seniors in New York City, covering nearly every possible subject area! On housing, healthcare, legal services and more, Sen. Krueger's Senior Resource Guide can point you in the right direction.